IC Cold Links: Udoh Impresses, Kramer Continues To Work On Dream

As I mentioned last night, there's plenty of great coverage of yesterday's workouts to wade through this morning.

Based on his comments to JMV and what he wrote, Mike Wells indicates that Ekpe Udoh won the day at the Fieldhouse. Purdue's Chris Kramer is chasing his dream realistically already aware that he probably won't be drafted. He's also prepared to pursue "Plan B" which is playing overseas. In the brief highlights from the workout, you could see that one of Kramer's greatest strengths at Purdue may actually hinder his initial attempts at landing in the NBA.

Kramer's is a physical defender who loves to get up under an opponent's chin all game long. To have any shot at carving out a role in the NBA, Kramer would have to be that defensive madman, driving opponents crazy with his effort. Only problem is that you can't play that physical style of defense on the perimeter in the NBA. The bumping, shoving and grabbing that makes the Big Ten a big boy conference just isn't allowed. Crazier things have happened, though, so it will be interesting to see if Kramer can adapt to the pro style of game. If he doesn't make it, we know it won't be for lack of trying.

After the jump, plenty of links on the draft prospects and power forwards along with Ron Artest and Paul Pierce renewing acquaintances in the NBA Finals.

• PACERS: Roster report: Power forward
  Bruno takes a look at the power forward position for the Pacers which is full of bodies but also full of questions.
• Parker a Pacer?
  Mike Wells weighs in on the Tony Parkerspeculation and indirectly declare Ekpe Udoh the big winner from yesterday's workout.
• Paul Pierce, Ron Artest do battle - BostonHerald.com
  Dan Duggan reports on Pierce and Artest going at each other once again, like they did in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs. Pierce better tie up his shorts for the Finals.
• NHL Gets It Right with Early Start Time
  Kent Sterling perfectly expresses my sentiments on the NBA's 9PM tip time for the Finals. I have a kid who wants to watch but 9PM is past his bedtime. School's out so he'll be able to stay up for the tip but will probably fade away by halftime. I realize it's hard to start the game much ealier in L.A. but how about the games in Boston? At least the Sunday games start at 8PM.

• Bird expected at Adidas EuroCamp
  Larry Bird is expected to check out the prospects at Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso this weekend. This is a Google translation from German, but you get the idea.

• NBA Draft: Who to choose, Udoh or Whiteside?
  Ken Sothman and Lucas Mayer focus on the big men vying for pick #10 with the Pacers.
• NBA Draft: Worlds Collide: Lance Stephenson vs. Chris Kramer
  Ken Sothman and Jonathan Matthews keep an eye on Purdue's Chris Kramer as he battled Lance Stephenson at the Fieldhouse yesterday.
• Tuesday's Pacers Pre-Draft Workout - Interviews with Hassan Whiteside and Chris Kramer 
  Michael Grady offers his take on the workouts along with a couple of interviews.
• NBA Draft: UTEP's Caracter slims down for Pacers workout
  Ken Sothman and Jon Foddrill focus on Derrick Caracter's workout.
• Prospects work out for Pacers
  Cliff Brunt took in the prospect workouts and reports on the big boys under the spotlight.